POPE FRANCIS SUFFERS HEALTH SETBACK

A respiratory attack has caused a massive setback for Pope Francis.

The head of the Catholic Church is currently under medical care at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, Italy.

The Vatican said on Saturday that the pope’s condition “continues to be critical”, adding that the 88-year-old was alert but had suffered a respiratory attack that required “high-flow oxygen” and blood transfusions.

A statement released by the Vatican said: “The Holy Father’s condition continues to be critical, therefore, as explained yesterday, the pope is not out of danger.”

For the second week in a row, the pontiff has been unable to deliver his usual weekly Sunday Angelus prayer.

This isn’t the first time that the Argentinian has been hospitalised since he became head of the Catholic Church in 2013. He underwent major surgery in 2021 and 2023.

Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, said this when asked about the pontiff’s possible retirement.

"Now we are thinking about the health of the Holy Father, his recovery, his return to the Vatican: these are the only things that matter.”

The Vatican said the pope has been moving between his bed, a chair and an adjacent chapel where he prays. It added that Francis has also been doing some work from his hospital room.

Since Saturday, a group of nuns and priests from around the world have been gathered outside the entrance to the Gemelli Hospital.

Image credit: France24